4-Hexylresorcinol

Hexylresorcinol is an organic compound with local anaesthetic, antiseptic and anthelmintic properties. Hexylresorcinol is an organic compound with local anaesthetic, antiseptic and anthelmintic properties. It is available for use topically on small skin infections, or as an ingredient in throat lozenges. Sytheon Ltd., USA markets hexylresorcinol (trade named Synovea HR) and Johnson & Johnson uses hexylresorcinol in its Neutrogena, Aveno and RoC skincare products as an anti-aging cream. Hexylresorcinol has been used commercially by many cosmetic/personal care companies, like Mary Kay, Clarins, Unilever, Murad, Arbonne, many small and large companies. It is marketed as S.T. 37 by Numark Laboratories, Inc. (in a 0.1% solution) for oral pain relief and as an antiseptic. A study published in Chemical Research in Toxicology shows that 4-hexylresorcinol used as a food additive (E-586) exhibits some estrogenic activity, i.e. resembles action of the female sex hormone estrogen. In one study, 4-hexylresorcinol increased the shelf life of shrimp by reducing melanosis (black spots). In mice with cancer, 4-hexylresorcinol inhibited NF-κB and extended their survival rate.